8 Royals Who Won't Return in 2025 Season

By Joe Summers | Oct 11, 2024

Aug 20, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) comes to the mound for a pitcher change against the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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4. Chris Stratton - RP

Among the other main culprits of the bullpen mess is Chris Stratton, who made sense as a flier last year but melted down as the season went on.

The veteran had a 5.55 ERA in 58.1 innings, walking an absurd 33 batters to only 44 strikeouts. He posted a 12.27 ERA in September and with such poor command, it doesn't make sense to keep him in the bullpen moving forward.

Lucas Erceg, Angel Zerpa, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, and Sam Long seem to have carved out trusted roles in the bullpen. They were all exceptional for the most part down the stretch, making it likely that everyone else is gone. At the very least, there isn't a great argument for giving Stratton another look.

Kansas City poached two former Rangers in Stratton and Smith, hoping to inject a winning culture and leadership into the bullpen. Neither move worked, though it's hard to argue with the thought process behind them.

Stratton has enjoyed a long career and could still have suitors but he has to improve his command to be trusted.

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